Air Force orders 24 Reaper UAVs

Oct. 23, 2013 - 10:26AM
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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems was awarded a contract to build 24 MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft for the Air Force.

Under the contract, which has a maximum value of $377 million, General Atomics will provide 24 Block 5 Reapers, as well as shipping containers, initial spares and support equipment. The work will be performed in Poway, Calif., and is expected to be completed by July 2016. The contract is being administered by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Medium Altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Block 5 is the new designation for upgraded Block 1-plus Reapers with improved power and communications capabilities.